An internal dialogue on Sustainability

Chang Hao Hsiang

Holiday house in Stennäs

Site sketch, chalk and crayon on paper, 2022
An internal dialogue on Sustainability Q A brief introduction on the project.

Hao The project is based on the infamous Stennäs Sommarhus by Erik Gunnar Asplund.
The brief was to reenvision a house on the plot of the case study house, which is located in
Social a beautiful archipelago landscape facing the sea. A unique feature of the site is the giant
granite outcrop situated at the center of the site.
Durability
Effectiveness
Energy Efficiency Q Is the project a proper addition to the landsacpe?

Hao During the design phase, there was always an internal struggle about what to build
here within this magnificent scenery, or whether should there even be a project in this
landscape.

Yet, many decisions were still made with this important issue in mind, such as the building
footprint was thus reduced to a minimum and the choice to place the building adjacent to
the granite rock and not out in the open as an object.

Q Is the project easily maintainable?

Hao The structure was designed to be as simple and as primitive as possible. The material
used are mostly timber, which are easily replacible had highly sustainable.

However, the central fireplace that opens up to three ways was cast in concrete for
practical purposes, as well as the main staircase leading up to the platform. These
elements would deteriorate over time.

Q Can the project be built with local manpower?

Hao The idea is that the building, both in material and technique, could be achieved
locally, the objective was to create something unique, and spatially powerful, yet still fits
in its context naturally. It was a long and vicious internal battle to keep this simplicity and
primitivity.

Q What kind of lifestyle does the building suggest?

Hao The building's design was based on the Swedish way of lifestyle in the summer,
which is spending most time free in the outdoors instead of being enclosed in an insulated
box. The project was conceived as four separate "rooms" under one roof, united by
Introduction to Sustainable Design
a central fire place, each room has its unique particularities, two of which are semi
AS 2022/2023
outdoors, one with the outcrop as it's wall" and one with the forest.
Prof. Muck Petzet
Ass. Laura Magri and Irene Tassinari
Q Was the project designed with energy efficiency in mind?

Hao Building in the Swedish landscape, it is important to have large openings to the
south and minimal opening towards other orientations. The result would often be an
enclosed timber box built around a fireplace, an introverted space. To open up this "box,"
the project fully utilized its surrounding elements. By placing a single-sloped roof on the
east side of the outcrop, the building would be shielded by the outcrop on its west side,
and by the roof on its east. Creating a large opening towards the south facing the sea and
on its north side it is protected by the forest.

Furthermore, the project took cue from the Swedish vernacular and is separated into
winter space and summer space, thus the heated area is minimized to necessity. All design
decisions were mostly made based on energy efficiency.

Q Was the construction method used considering its energy efficiency?

Hao The project is placed on timber pillars that raised a wooden platform, on which the
project was built. This decision was made to minimize contact with the ground. 0 1 2 5 m

The concrete elements of the project including the fireplace and the staircase still touch
the ground and requires minimal excavation. Holiday house in Stennäs
Drawing, Ground floor plan , 2022

Q In conclusion, do I think the project makes the world a better place?

Hao In truth, I do not believe a private house could have any chance to make any
landscape "a better place."

But I also believe that this project in many ways, such as the closely studied relationship
between the inside and outside, and the view from within towards the outside, helps its
habitants to appreciate the landscape. Since it was designed not to keep its habitants
"in," but rather provide shelter and choices of how to inhabit this wonderful landscape,
designed to adhere to and complement it and not conquer it barbarically.

Holiday house in Stennäs

Rendering, View from south-east, 2022